From: Simpson, Greg - HPL
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 9:22 AM
To: HPL - All EmployeesS
Subject: Policy Update - Policy 2.3
___________________________________

Good Morning-

The HPL Policy Committee was recently asked to review Policy and Procedure 2.3 relating to security. Two specific changes were approved. The first cleans up some wording to ensure that the policy and library signage are accurate. The second incorporates language reflecting the City’s curfew policy. Below are the revision highlights of this policy and procedure.

There is inconsistent language between the Notice to All Users signs and the current security policy. The Notice to All Users signage states, “Children between the ages of seven and fourteen should not be left unattended for extended periods of time or at closing time.”

o Old Policy – Current policy states that children between the ages of seven years old and twelve years old should not be left unattended and/or unsupervised for more than one hour or at closing time.
o New Policy – New policy states that children between the ages of seven years old and fourteen years old should not be left unattended and/or unsupervised for more than one hour or at closing time.

The current policy does not discuss children who are at our libraries during school hours.

o Policy – New policy states that the City of Houston curfew for minors 17 and under is between the hours of 9 am - 2:30 pm on a weekday. The Houston Police Department or the Harris County Constable will be contacted when unaccompanied minors are in the library during this curfew time. (City of Houston Ordinance, Chapter 28, Article 5, Section 28 171-175)


You can review the entire policy and procedure by visiting the library’s intranet site, at https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/. Once there, choose Forms and Documents/Policies and Procedures. The new policy and procedure is under the Planning & Facilities tab, Policy 2.3 and Procedure 2.3.

I hope you will take a few moments to review the documents on the intranet site. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Thanks.
Greg

Greg Simpson, Assistant Director
Communications Division